The exodus continues
Foreigners more than make up for increasing local outflow;
unfortunately it doesn't help consolidate nationhood. By Seah
Chiang Nee.
Feb 24, 2008
YEARS of strong economic growth have failed to stem Singapore's
skilled youths from leaving for a better life abroad, with the
number topping 1,000 a year.
This works out to 4%-5%, or three in 10, of the highly educated
population, a severe brain drain for a small, young nation,
according to Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.
Such high-end emigration is usually associated with less better-off
countries where living conditions are poor. Here the opposite is
the case.
Last year the economy created almost 200,000 jobs, far in excess of
the 38,000 births recorded.
The future doesn't look better, either, despite Lee holding out
promises of 'a golden period in the next five to 10
years.
Lee believes the exodus, which has been worrying him for two
decades, could only grow because 'every year, there are more people
going abroad for their first or second degree.
The emigration rate, one of the highest in the world on a per
capita basis, is a blow to the government, particularly to Lee, who
takes pride in building up this once poor squatter colony into a
glittering global city.
They are people who abandoned their citizenship for a foreign one,
mostly in Australia, the United States and Canada.
It is particularly serious for two reasons. First, Singapore is a
young nation that is working hard to consolidate its nationhood and
its people, and second, its defence lies in a reservist army.
This is made up of young men who have served two years of
compulsory military training when they reach the age of 18. Any big
outflow will badly affect security, not to mention the
economy.
Adding to a declining birth rate, the problem of emigration, which
appears to have worsened during the past few decades as people
became better educated, will further reduce the base of this
well-trained people's army.
Hundreds of thousands of foreigners and permanent residents who
have come to Singapore help make up the numbers, but they do not
have to serve national service.
The emigrants, mostly professionals, don't leave Singapore out of
poverty but to seek a better, less pressurised life.
Lee recently said the brain drain is touching close to this
family.
Lee's grandson, the elder son of Prime Minister Hsien Loong, who is
studying in the United States, has indicated that he may not
return.
Over the years, the children of several Cabinet ministers have also
made Britain or the US their home.
Lee, aged 84, has often spoken on the issue with emotions, once
tearing when referring to the losses.
However, he has offered no reasons for the exodus beyond economic
opportunities, although the government more or less knows what they
are.
Singaporeans who have or are planning to emigrate are given a host
of 10 questions and asked to tick the three most important ones.
They include the following: -
> High costs of living
> Singapore is too regulated and stifling
> Better career and prospects overseas
> Prefer a more relaxed lifestyle
> Uncertain future of Singapore.
Some liberal Singaporeans believe Lee himself, with his
authoritarian leadership and unpopular policies, is largely to
blame.
Singapore's best-known writer Catherine Lim calls it a climate of
fear that stops citizens from speaking out against the government,
saying it could eventually lead to the decline of the state.
She praised the government for its economic achievements but added:
'A compliant, fearful population that has never learnt to be
politically savvy could spell the doom of Singapore.
Globalisation, which offers opportunities in many countries like
never before, is a big reason for the outflow.
Many countries, including populous China, are making a special
effort to attract foreign talent.
Others who leave were worried about the future of their children
living in a small island, and look for security and comfort of a
larger country.
The exodus is more than made up at least in numbers by
a larger intake of professionals from China and India.
'The trouble is many of the Chinese then use us as a stepping stone
to go to America, where the grass is greener, Lee said.
'But even if we only keep 30%-40% and lose 60%-70%, we're a net
gainer, he added.
He believed, however, that the Chinese would cease to come in 20 to
30 years' time, when China's living standards rise to match
Singapore's.
Some feel the large presence of foreigners, and the perks they
enjoy over locals in military exemption as well as in scholarships,
are themselves strong push factors.
They see the foreigners as a threat to jobs and space, undermining
salaries and loosening the nation's cohesion.
'I just feel very sad to see the Singapore of today with so many
talented, passionate Singaporeans moving out and being replaced by
many foreigners, said one blogger. 'I feel sorry for the
future.
Others point out the danger of an easy fix in numbers without
regard to quality.
'Foreigners treat this place as a hotel, when the economy turns
they will leave, said a teacher who is seeing more and more
foreign students in his class.
Lee recently made a passionate appeal to youths to think hard about
their country. He said they had received education and
opportunities provided by Singaporeans who had worked hard for
it.
'Can you in good conscience say, Goodbye! Thank you very much?' Can
you leave with a clear conscience? I cannot, he said.
